Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David. I have played piano for several years now, and can play fine by chords. I know the notes and understand how the music sounds. I got a special 20 and a harmonica neck holder. I have just learned how to play the blues scale and I have the understanding that it is likely that I will be playing the blues in the blues scale of G on my C diatonic harmonica. My goal is to be able to play the harmonica with piano. Do you have a suggested starting point? I also understand how the chords work for a 12 bar blues to some extent. Just looking for suggestions to make the most of my month. continue reading...

Hi David, I like to understand what I am doing musically. Louisiana song begins (I chord) with the "octave" tongue block technique with 3 and 6 draw and 4 and 7 draw. 4 and 7 draw is in the I chord (the 5th and 3rd notes), but the 3 - 6 draw combination has only the 3rd note of the chord. 6 draw is not in the I chord. So why is this combination musically OK? I ask because later (in the IV chord) the 3 draw is dropped for the fact that is not one of the chordal notes. Thank you.

Good Morning,

So I have been at this right about a month and am now trying get to figure out several things. The first is how to tongue block the 2 hole. I saw where you talked about tongue to the right for hole 1 and to the left for 2 through 10. If I do that it puts my mouth almost off the Harmonica, is that what is suppose to happen?  continue reading...

Hi David, I watch you and hobs lessons. I've noticed that our sounds are diffrent. I bought a Hohner "C chord".

I think you guys are using a "G chord". Do you have lessons for a "C Chord"? 

Hi David.  I am new to learning harmonica and also play guitar.  I am keen to be able to play the two at the same time using a neck holder.  However I find it is well nigh impossible to tongue block using the upper part of the tongue, instead I am using the lower part just underneath the tip of the tongue.  This seems to work fine but am I storing up problems doing it this way?  Many thanks for your help.

I'm looking at the tab and following along with the mp3...is it me or does the mp3 end about 8 measures before the tab? 

Hi David,

Still working my way through Gary's Blues, it's taking me quite a few months to get it but I,m starting to get there.

I've just discovered the Jimmy Reed Shuffle by accident on your web page, absolutely love it and will try learn that tune too.

I hope you are all staying safe and keeping well under these circumstances, the Lockdown in scotland has given me more time to study these tunes.

regards

Roger

Hey I just have a c harmonica and want to strt with the first lesson. Is it necessary to have a a Harmonica or is it also possible with a c Harmonica ? 

Thank you 

Greetings from Rica.

Hi David,

I am working on Tongue Blocking Study 2.

I believe the sound of my slaps is fine, but my timing is off.

I start my breath on the beat, so the chordal sound is on the beat, and the slapped note itself is slightly delayed.

12 years of woodwind instrument training means that in my mind, I am on time if I get sound out of the instrument at the time of the bar.

I've already tried working with a metronome at 60bpm, playing only a repeated single note, and still I manage to play the single note behind the beat.

  continue reading...

Hi David,

Started your classes 3 weeks ago while being confined :) They're amazing.

I'm making some good progress on the bending, especially on the 4 & 6 draws.

The 3 draw bend is coming as well, I can get to the correct frequencies (thanks to harpninja app) but I can't get a nice sound out of it (sounds like a fly if you know what I mean).

Does that mean my tongue is not correctly located ?

Thanks in advance for your support, your classes are great by the way !

Adrien from France